Platypus

LIFE CYCLE

The life cycle of a platypus is very interesting. It starts like this: the platypus spends 10 days as an egg incubating inside its mother. The mother lays the eggs in the burrows. When the egg is laid the mother keeps the egg warm until it hatches. The platypus grows about 18 inches in length and weighs about 3 lbs. when born. The platypus lives up to 12 years in the wild. The infant platypus is the size of a lima bean.DIETWhen the platypus baby is hungry, it eats insects and larvae. As the platypus grows the diet includes shrimp, crayfish, earthworms, frog eggs, and much more. The platypus is a bottom feeder and they also feed at night. The platypus eats 30 percent of their body weight each day.HABITATThe platypus lives in Australia. It likes the water; mostly lakes, rivers, swamps, and creeks. Also it spends its days in burrows so that when it’s out of water, it has protection. But it’s only out of water in the day time, at night it swims and glides. But what does it do out of water? Well it curls up and brushes its fur. It’s an awesome swimmer, it has webbed feet like a duck, and slick fur like an otter which helps it to swim super fast.ADAPTATIONSA cool adaptation the platypus has is that when it’s hungry it dives downinto the lake or creek, scoops up gravel which it stores it in a pouch in its mouth.When it’s time to eat, the platypus uses the gravel to help it break down food in its mouth in the absence of teeth.The platypus’ nose is very important when it comes to finding food.Because it has a fold of skin that covers its eyes and ears under water, its nose and sense of smell is how a platypus locates its food. The platypus has webbed feet which aids in swimming.Its thick fur coat keeps it warm and repels water.